What makes Baltimore, Maryland, one of the best US cities to visit?

Brian Oliver is the founder of BMore See More, a nonprofit organization empowering minority male students in Baltimore City to become local and global leaders through education, mentorship, and travel. A seasoned traveler who’s visited over 60 countries, Brian always finds himself returning to Baltimore and has become a voice for reframing how people see his home city by highlighting the stories, neighborhoods, and experiences that show its full heart and charm.

In this episode, Brian shares his curated list of seven hidden gems in Baltimore and gives us a local’s perspective on what makes the city so magnetic.

If Baltimore isn’t already on your travel radar, this conversation may change that. Brian gives us a tour of the city’s most vibrant and overlooked spots, from the best place to watch fireworks to where you can get lost in local food culture. He talks about how neighborhoods shape identity, why steamed crabs are more than a meal, and how seeing the world has deepened his love for home. You’ll leave this episode with a fresh sense of what makes a city truly worth exploring and how travel can spark both global and local change.

What’s one city that surprised you in the best possible way, and what made it so memorable? I’d love to hear about it, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message.

Premium Passport:

Get ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and access to all episodes for only $3/month. Subscribe now!

Tune In To Learn:

How a childhood of road trips sparked his lifelong love of travel
What makes Baltimore’s people so memorable to visitors
Why the neighborhoods are the heart of the city, and how to explore them
Advice to get the most out of your first crab feast (and why it’s more than just a meal)
Why Camden Yards changed the game for stadiums across the U.S.
The local museum that tells 400 years of African American history in Maryland
How to use the water taxi like a local and why everything is better from the water
Where to find authentic food, murals, music, and community in Charm City
How travel inspired Brian to launch BMore See More for youth empowerment
And so much more

Resources:

Join Zero To Travel Premium Passport
Sign up for our FREE newsletter
Plan your trip to Baltimore
Visit Brian’s website
Learn about BMore See More
Follow Brian on Instagram

Want More?

Only in Wisconsin
5 Reasons To Visit The Florida Keys
9 Best United States Museums and Advice for Fostering Your Creativity with Bob Eckstein

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Unbound Merino - Use code ‘TRAVEL10’ to get 10% off your Unbound Merino order.
Visit Baltimore - Start planning your visit to Charm City today!
Harvest Hosts - Use code TRAVEL20 for 20% off your Harvest Hosts membership.
No Fixed Address - Listen to No Fixed Address, a travel podcast that’s your backstage pass to the world's hidden gems.

Brilliant Baltimore: Top 7 Hidden Gems (Why You Need to Visit This City) with Brian Oliver 01:09:40 Share

Zero To Travel Podcast

Shownotes Transcript

Brilliant Baltimore: Top 7 Hidden Gems (Why You Need to Visit This City) with Brian Oliver